Regeneration

darkanus51 · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

what exactly does the regeneration effect state?
My friends believe that regeneration removes all counters (+1/+1 or -1/-1, charge etc.) from the regenerated card, and I have a hard time convincing them that it doesn't. It doesn't right?

ransom3 · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 174

Regeneration is a replacement effect that replaces the creature being put into a graveyard from play due to lethal damage or a 'destroy' effect. All counters, etc. remain on the creature when it is regenerated.

stone_d · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 48

regenerate:
the nex time this creature would be destroyed this turn, tap it. Remove alll damage from it and remove it from combat.

ACM · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 122

Since the last post wasn't very friendly to finding out exactly how it works, here is the Comp Rules paragraphdedicated to it:

419.6b Regeneration is a destruction-replacement effect. The word “instead” doesn’t appear on the card but is implicit in the definition of regeneration. “Regenerate [permanent]” means “The next time [permanent] would be destroyed this turn, instead remove all damage from it, tap it, and (if it’s in combat) remove it from combat.” Abilities that trigger from damage being dealt still trigger even if the permanent regenerates.

cymagic · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 12

just remember never to block a Ram-Gang with a Troll Ascetic.

Hardtrack · Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 346

Ok, lets be a little more thorough and use Drudge Skeletons as an example.

You can play the regeneration ability of the Skeletons at any time. All you have to do is pay one black mana.

What happens when the ability resolves is that the Skeletons get a 'regeneration shield'. It's a replacement effect that hangs around until either the Skeletons get destroyed (and it is used up) or the turn ends (and it simply goes away).

If something would destroy the Skeletons and they, at that time, have a regeneration shield, the replacement effect steps in and replaces the creature being destroyed with it being tapped, removing all damage from it and removing it from combat.

So instead of going to the graveyard because somebody played Assassinate on it or it blocked a 5/5 and received 5 damage, it stays in play, but it is tapped, all damage is removed from it and it is removed from combat.

Since it never leaves play, it keeps all counters, Aura's, effects applied to it, etc.